Storagre-rack



J. S. TURNER.

STORAGE RACK.

APPLICATION FILED OCT- 23, 1917.

Patented Dec. 23, 1919.

ATTORNEY.

UNTE

JOHN S. TURNER, 01? DALLAS, TEXAS.

STORAGE-RACK.

Application filed October 23, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN S. TURNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dallas, in the county of Dallas and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Storage-Racks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention pertains to improvements in storage racks for automobiles.

The invention relates particularly to racks arranged to be mounted on the running board and the primary feature is a rack constructed to fold down onto the board and provided with a table member which forms a tread when the rack is folded down as stated. Another feature is the provision of an extensible rack which may be shortened or elongated to suit running boards of different lengths or to provide a storage space of given length.

In carrying out the invention a plurality of clamp members constructed 130 136 fastened on the running board of an automobile are provided. Uprights are hinged to the clamp members and are connected by longitudinal bars slidable through the uprights and each individually adjustable. End members are hinged to the bars so as to be folded in against the uprights when the device is folded. A table member is hinged to the faces of the uprights and may be swung outward and upward for use.

The invention will be more readily understood from a perusal of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which an example of. the invention is shown and wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the rack in position for use,

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same,

Fig. 3 is a plan view,

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of the rack folded down onto the running board of an automobile,

Fig. 5 is a detail showing the table in position,

Fig. 6 is a detail of the fastening for the bars, and

Fig. 7 is a detail of the hinge joint connecting the end members with front bars.

In the drawings the numeral 1 designates a clamp of which three are employed. The jaw of the clamp is wide enough to receive the outer edge portions of running boards of different thickness. Each clamp'has in the under jaw-member a set-screw 2 adapted Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 23, 1919.

Serial No. 193,133.

to be engaged with the under side of the running board 3 to fasten the clamp in position. Each clamp has on its face a hinge boss 4 receiving an ear 5 of an upright or post 6 whereby said post is hinged to the clamp. Each post projects below its ear and engages the boss 4, whereby its outward swing is limited. It may be suitably fasteneg in this position as by the turn-bub ton The posts are fastened in position and each carries an ear 8 at its upper end which receives a hinge rod 9 on which hinge leaves 10 are confined, said leaves being fastened to the inner side and edge portion of a table member 11 which depends in front of the posts and may be formed of any suitable material. The table member has notches in its lower edge receiving half-turn screws 12 mounted in lugs 13 projecting from the posts. Each post has a plurality of bosses 14 at different elevations and these slidably receive longitudinal flat bars 15, which overlap and are fastened in position by setscrews 16 mounted in the bosses 14. The bars project from the posts at each end of the rack and may be extended as desired. It is obvious that the bars at one elevation may be extended farther than the others as is shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

To the outer end of each bar 15 an end bar 17 is connected by a hinge joint 18 which is shown in detail in Fig. 7. The extensible bars 15 make the rack elastic and its ends may be made to conform to the fenders (not shown) of the automobile or to accommodate an irregular load. After the posts are once fastened in place they need not be dis turbed as the bars 15 may be extended or withdrawn as desired. The bars 15 and the ends 17 with the side of the car form a receptacle in which luggage, camping and cooking outfits and various other articles can be conveniently stored. If desired the rack may be limited in height so that the doors of the car. will swing over the same.

When not in use the table member 11 hangs as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, but when it is desired to use the same the screws 12 are turned down so as to register with the notches and the member is swung upward as shown in Fig. 5. Braces 20 are hinged to each end of the member 11 and may have their free ends engaged on the middle bosses 1 1 to support the table memher. It will be noted that the posts and table member form a fixed side and the adjustment is obtained through the bars 15. It is obvious that different length of table members could be employed.

When the rack is not in use the bars 15 are retracted and the end bars 17 are swung in against the posts and the latter swung down onto the running board after the turn buttons are released, as shown in Fig. 4. The table member 11 being uppermost covers the other parts and forms a tread so that the running board may be used as usual. When the table member 11 is swung down the braces are disengaged from the bosses and hang as shown.

The foregoing description and illustration clearly express the invention, but it is to be understood that said illustration is merely an exemplification and the invention may be carried out in various other ways.

What I claim, is:

1. The combination in an automobile storage rack of clamps constructed to be fastened on a running board, posts hinged to the clamps, extensible members mounted on the posts, ends hinged to the extensible members and arranged to fold into parallel relation with the posts and extensible members, said posts being arranged to be folded down onto the running board, and a fiat member hinged to the posts and constituting a tread when the rack is folded down over the running board.

2. The combination in an automobile storage rack of clamps constructed to be fastened on a running board, upright posts mounted on the clamps, longitudinal bars slidable in the posts, end bars hinged to the outer ends of the longitudinal bars, and a fiat member hinged to the upper ends of the posts, said posts and ends being foldable so that the rack may be folded down onto a running board.

3. The combination in an automobile storage rack for a running board, of clamps having fastening devices, posts hinged to the clamps, means for fastening the posts in upright position on the clamps, a flat member hinged to the upper ends of the posts, means for fastening the lower end of the flat member parallel to the posts, braces for supporting the fiat member in horizontal position, elongated bars slidable through the posts transversely of the same, means for fastening the elongated bars against movement through the posts, and end bars hinged to the outer ends of the elongated bars.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

JOHN S. TURNER. 

